<p>Our Dau#2 is registered in June 2010 for both the SAT and ACT. PSAT scores were straight up average, about 150, despite preparation–she may have a tendency to work deliberately and over-analyze. Test taking has never been her strength. Dau is a junior in HS enrolled in Alg2/Trig so hasn’t had all the math yet.
Would you recommend dau take the March SAT in advance of the June test?
Dau will be applying to some reach schools by Dec and I was thinking she’d only have a couple shots at score improvement for SAT by then if the June test went south.</p>
<p>Yes, it would be worthwhile to start with the March test date. Also, sign up for the SAT question of the day email through college board. They also have an online test prep and their book has full practice tests in it. Have her answer the qyuestions daily and take full timed practice tests prior to the test. Also order the score report so she can see what things she missed and what to focus on for June. Also, don’t use the included free score reports until you see the scores because you may not end up wanting to use them and/or the ACT may be her better test.</p>
<p>Yes, I would also have her take it in March with prep beforehand. Then she can retake in June and in the fall if she still wants to improve. My S took it in May of junior year with the plan to retake it in Oct of senior year if scores were not what he wanted. But he decided his scores were “good enough” and stopped at one time. I made the mistake of telling him his scores were in the middle 50% range for three out of four schools he was applying to and that was enough to kill his motivation to try again. Big mistake on my part but we were not going to force him to take it again. </p>
<p>With second child, we will have a similar strategy with timing and prep. Two times will probably be the max for her as neither of my kids are the type that will study over and over again for a standardized test.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t know about your school’s final schedule, but for our son, the June test was really not workable. He had finals beginning just before the June ACT test, and the following week. I do know that he took an ACT in April of junior year. For many districts, school is over by the time those June tests are scheduled, but that was not the case for us.</p>
<p>That is why S took it in May and not June. The June test date was right before finals and that would have been too much.</p>
<p>You also may want to take a good look at SAT optional schools.</p>
<p>Thanks for advice–will talk to Dau about Mar SAT. She will not be avail for the April ACT so is stuck with the June 5 test date around finals & June SAT will be post finals, fortunately. And yes, Dau will apply to some test-optional schools. Lots of pressure on these students…just keep telling Dau to just do her best and it will all work out in the end.</p>
<p>Don’t forget SATIIs. She should probably take 2 in June.</p>
<p>
Yes she has.
otherwise, good plan.</p>
<p>thanks you all for your help. Consolation, Got the 2 SAT subject tests set for May. Gonna be a rough spring!</p>